Future All-Stars, now in its 12th year, is now one of the staple events for the New York Staff Band and every year is a highlight on the bands calendar. The process for this event begins in the fall when young people from around the USA Eastern Territory and beyond audition for a slot in the weekend. When all was said and done, we had 57 students come along side the NYSB for a great weekend of music making and ministry.
On Friday evening the students gathered at the Star Lake Lodge and Conference for their first set of rehearsals as a band. It was a full folder of music with many notes to be played and it was evident from the start that this year’s students had prepared ahead of time. This was going to be a great weekend.
Every year we are pleased to have with us some special guests that come and share in a time of devotions and prayer. This year we were privileged to have with us Major Philip & Jodi Lloyd who are the Territorial Youth Secretaries in our Territory. Majors Lloyd have a heart for young people and are some of the Army’s best communicators and this was evident from the start of our time together and throughout the weekend as they shared. This year’s devotional theme was “A Gift for His Altar” based around the great piece by Leslie Condon.
This year we were also pleased to have with us as guests the Academy Brass Quintet from the West Point Band (United States Army). They were a fine addition to the weekend as they would present a master class, lead the group in sectionals and present a full recital. They did a phenomenal job in all the aspects and were wonderful to have. We were also privileged to have the Academy Brass Quintet present for our finale concert. We should give special mention to Andrew Garcia, principal trumpet of the West Point Band, who is an alumnus of both Future All-Stars and the NYSB.
In addition to the invaluable ministry of our guests, the Future All Stars and NYSB members shared in many hours of intense rehearsal and small group prayer and devotions. Lifelong lessons were learned, bonds were formed, and the Lord worked in marvelous ways through his people. Though the intense schedule left most fatigued by Sunday morning, new life was found by entering the presence of God in worship. This sacred and holy time was made even more remarkable by the various testimonies of Future All Stars, which indicated the profound and personal impact of their experience.
For our Finale concert we were once again pleased to be at the Montclair Citadel Salvation Army where we were met by a very enthusiastic and supportive audience. We once again maxed out all of the square footage of the Montclair stage as the NYSB and Future All-Stars presented a wide variety pieces that had been worked on during the weekend. As always the young people rose to the action and presented a marvelous program (especially considering we were just together for the weekend). Congratulations to all the students for their wonderful work throughout the weekend and to those who come along side of them during the year. This was truly a blessed weekend among God’s people.
Final Concert Program
Saints of God – James Curnow
Welcome & Prayer – Major Kevin Stoops
Future All Stars – Martin Cordner
Big Little Fugue – William Himes
Academy Brass Quintet
The Golden Pen – Wilfred Heaton
Spirit – Ray Steadman-Allen
Testimony – Ian Wettlaufer
The Old Wells – Eric Ball
Testimony – Evelyn Robertson
On We March – Kevin Larsson
Academy Brass Quintet
Alone Yet Not Alone – Bruce Broughton
A Gift For His Altar – Leslie Condon
Devotional – Major Philip Lloyd
Inclusion – Paul Sharman
Benediction – Rock of Ages
